How to run a pretty cool web site for nearly free.

1st get the domain.  You will pay about $10 for the year. That's it.  Don't spend any more! (unless it's to me ;)
I use http://mydomain.com but godaddy, enom, or any of those will do.  You can wait and get your domain via Google when you sign up for Google Apps this makes some things easier like adding a Cname listing for new sites but you also want to have other domain management tools you can use. See more about set up here.
In choosing the domain hosting, pick one that has domain management tools plus URL forwarding. You don't need email from the domain host if you are going to use Google. Keep in mind that the domain is just a listing.  It's like getting your name into the phone book. It doesn't mean you have any web space just like the listing in the phone book doesn't give you a phone.  That's fine though. Don't be fooled into thinking it's only a "real domain" if it's packaged with web hosting.  Your domain is no less real than a phone listing that you didn't pay the phone company for. 

Now for the web hosting.  You can pay big bucks for an account that you can FTP to or even small bucks, like $5 per month, for a template kind of site that you get easy to use tools to build your site.  But if you are going to have to do a little work yourself anyway why pay anything?  I say go with free and see if you like it.  That's why I use Google Apps.  It's sort of a template type web site hosting with a whole lot of tools, like email, calendar, and documents, and a whole lot of flexibility.  Now before you get to thinking I get a kick back from Google, it seems that they don't even want people to know about the free version of this stuff.  Unless you search for it, you won't find it, but I'll give you the link: http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new is where you can sign up for what's called the standard edition of Google Apps.
Once you sign up you can then begin to set up things by following the instructions including verifying your domain.

They also have a step by step guide to setting up your new Google Apps account but some of it is directed toward the "premier accounts" or education and non-profit.


About me:
I've made websites for years mostly as a hobby.  I've done it for myself, family, and for organizations that I'm involved in. I've found it most enjoyable when it involves my interests.  That's why I think the best sites are created and run by the owners rather than some of the cookie cutter website creators.
After starting YorkTeaParty.org  and working with other organizations with similar goals I found that integrating the information from many different types of sites was difficult.  One main goal of this site is to promote Google's tools to help make the information more uniform and easier to share.  So, whether you want to be part of this domain or want one of your own, I'll try and share what I know and you can let me know if it helps.
See links to some examples of my sites and more free info in User Instructions pages and more about me at http://alexanderofyork.com and email me at alexanderofyork@ofVA.US